HOLLY

Sharing a Personal Loss
For those of you who met our Holly, or those around the world who kindly listened to endless stories about her cute deeds, I regret to say that she passed away on January 30th.
Holly was our family dog, and despite her intimidating size of 125 lbs, she was the kindest and most loving animal that we ever knew. We are grief striken and we feel that in addition to being a member of our family, Holly was a member of the community as she took the role of being our hostess by greeting everyone who came to the door with the "toy of the day".
She was a dancer at heart, liked many kinds of music, and swayed her hips as she walked in a way that I hope to copy and add into a choregraphy as a loving tribute to her.
Holly will be in our hearts forever.

Loss to Dance Community

A Great Loss to our Dance Community
Our dance community in Virginia has lost a beautiful and generous member. Amira passed away on Jan 31st after a longtime battle with a severe illness. She will be missed and remembered for her generous heart, her commitment and support for the art of Middle Eastern dance, and all art forms with which she was deeply involved.
Her accomplishments and achievements are countless. I will always remember her for her words of encouragement when I was a klutsy beginner, and her words of praise when I persevered in my pursuit of this art. Amira had a great heart that can only be measured in greatness by comparison with her boundless creativity and her desire to share her courageous and optimistic spirit.
Amira will live in our memories and our hearts.
With Love,
Samra

WORKSHOPS IN SW VIRGINIA AT A GLANCE

In Southwestern Virginia:
At Moving Arts Center:
Classes are now ongoing in these subjects. Students can join anytime until late spring when classes may be offered at different levels. There will be a recital in early Summer when students who wish to perform may do so. Check out these classes: Salsa, Belly Dance for Children and Adults, Creative Dance, Popular Dance, Mother and Toddler, Shimmyrobics and World Dance Exercise.
February 16
YOGA workshop by Tran Shipman. Tran is from China and later Vietnam and has resided in the USA for many years. She works as a legal secretary besides teaching Yoga at Carroll Wellness Center and various locations when invited. 10:00-12:00. Fees $15 until Feb 9, afterwards $20.
FREE DANCE EXERCISE WORKSHOP with Samra 1:00-2:00 for invididuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and is considered a "Cancer Survivor". To register call or email to register. Limit 10 persons.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WORKSHOP (child 8 and above) - World Dance Exercise. Great time spent together having fun and getting fit. 2:00-3:00pm Special one time fee. $15 for BOTH if registered by Feb 12

MARCH 8
Full day of Workshops and Performance At the Southwest Virginia Training Center:
ARMS, WALKS, HIPS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS with Alexandria from Beckley, WV. Alexandria is the Best Kept Secret in West Virginia where she has had an accomplished career as a teacher and performer for over 30 years. She has performed and taugh through out the Southeast. Her performances are always remembered for her exuberance, expressive arms, complex footwork and intricate hip patterns. She will share as much as she can in 2 hrs.Don't miss the opportunity to study with someone who has developed a unique and joyful style.
Registration at 9:30 Class 10:00-12:00
12:00-1:15 Lunch and preparation Show. (Pack your lunch or you may order lunch at arrival from one of the local small or fast food restaurants)
1:15-2:00. Show by participants for the Residents and Staff of Southwest Virginia Training Center. This delightful audience looks forward to our performance each year and it is a rewarding experience for us all
2:30-4:40. WINGS OF ISIS Choreography with Samra. This is brand new Choregraphy to Nebidity Manain and contains various segments that can be easily changed by the dancer to make it "her own". PARTICIPANTS DO NOT HAVE TO BRING WINGS, but they must bring 2 veils, safety pins and either 2 small wooden dowels or plastic venetian blinds pull (found at any department store where they sell blinds). I really recommend this.
FIRST 30 MINUTE OF THE WORKSHOP will be spent learning HOW to make your own wings. Anyone who has an iron, needle and thread and bit of patience can make their own wings. Samra will show how she has made all her wings!!!

MARCH 18-APRIL 8 - Samra will be teaching in Bali, then going to Hawaii to expand her knowledge of Hula and the Hawaiiaan Culture.

APRIL 19, 20 - SAMRA returns to Danville!!!! This time for a full weekend to include:
Double Veil 102 - Participation in her introductory Double Veil workshop is not necessary. But this workshop will focus on moving from a double veil move to another in smooth transitions and combinations. The sketch of a double veil choreography will be presented, so dancers can create their own double veil dance from beginning to end and include double veil moves as one veil, entering the veils and dancing between them, separating, forming designs, joining then, and covering up IN STILE all possible mishaps that can happen due to wind, fans, and other unpredicatable surprises. Samra will share her several orginal tricks to get inside the veil. (2 hrs) (Saturday 6:30-8:30)
SHIMMY- Samra has produced 4 instruction DVDs with Shimmy as the topic! She will take you through a Shimmy Tour of the Body, from head to toes, and introduce you to various types of shimmies, besides the basic 3/4, 4/4 and 2/4 Shimmies,Egyptian Shimmies, and Muscle Shimmies, plus Felahi, Hagallah, Ghawazee, Brazilian, Flamenco, Tunisian, Roman (not Gypsy),Algerian, and more. If you are a bit sore gluts and thighs the next day, you have done "good". Bonus:Toned gluts and thighs for the rest of your life if you practice regularly :-) 10:00-1:00
Afternoon - Showtime!!!! Shalimar (Donna) is arranging a beautiful place in Danville for the partipants to show their best as a benefit for a local charity. Star polishing that dance, and searching your wardrobe for your look for the occasion.

DANCE IN BALI DETAILED SCHEDULE

Below is a Daily Time Plan for the Lotus Retreat in Bali.

For more information visit:
www.iarasamra.artshost.com
www.freewebs.com/magedansen
www.1001natt.com

or write to samra40@netzero.net

Companions and family members (non-dancers) are welcome. There are still spaces, but we recommend that you book as soon as possible. Local residents should inquire about individual classes if space is available.
Thanks, Samra
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Saturday 22nd – arrival , free airport pick up, check in at hotel. Orientation meeting in the dance room at the hotel.

8 pm Dinner (hotel guests get 10% off menu prices) with Bellydance Show where teachers and participants perform.

Sunday, 23rd March
8 – 9 Breakfast at the hotel
9.30-10am Pick up in Mini Buses from Hotel
10am Sightseeing – Travel to Mengwi Water Palace, drive through Rice Paddies
4.30-5pm Arrive at Batukaru Mountain Retreat
Refreshments on arrival. Settle In
6.30 -7pm Dinner.

Monday, 24th March
8 – 9am Breakfast
9 -10am Orientation at Batukaru Mountain Retreat. (Book massages etc.)
10am -12 Shaabi Technique (Iman)
12 – 1pm Lunch
1 - 2.30pm Left Side (Choreography Technique) Right Side (Improvisation Technique (Samra)
2.30 - 3pm Afternoon Tea
3 - 4.30pm Balinese Dance Workshop (local Balinese instructor)
6.30 - 8pm Traditional Balinese Dinner
8.30pm Traditional Balinese Dance Performance – Joged Bumbung

Tuesday, 25th March
8 – 9am Breakfast
9 - 10am Bellydance Bazaar – shopping in the onsite bellystore for those interested
10am -12 Shaabi Choreography (Iman)
12 – 1pm Lunch
1 - 2.30pm Sword workshop (Iman)
2.30 - 3pm Afternoon Tea
3 - 4.30pm Zills Workshop (Iman)
4.30 - 5.30pm Bellydance Bazaar
6.30 - 8pm Dinner
8.30pm Dancing Under the Stars with drummer (feel free to join in with your zills)

Wednesday 26th March
8 - 9am Breakfast.
9.30-10am Depart Batukaru Montain Retreat. Sightseeing visit Balian Beach or Tanah Lot.
Arrival at Pelangi hotel. After settling in at the hotel we all go out to for dinner at one of the nice restaurants at faboulous Jimbaran Beach for superfresh seafood or vegetarian.

Thursday 27th
8 – 10 Breakfast
10 – 12 Double Veil (Samra)
12 – 1pm Lunch
1 – 2.30 Saiidi Technique (Siri)
3 – 4.30 Saiidi choreography (Siri)

Friday 28th
8 – 10 Breakfast
Morning free to do whatever you like – go shopping, join a cooking class, snorkeling, shopping or just laze by the pool.3 – 4.30pm Shimmy technique-preparation for the drum solo choreography on Saturday (Siri)
5 – 7pm Firedance (Samra)

Saturday 29th
8 – 10 Breakfast
10 – 12 Drum solo choreography (Siri)
12 – 1pm Lunch
1 – 2.30 Taste of Turkey. (Samra)
3 – 4pm Bellydance for beginners - optional class for companions and anybody else interested,15$. (Siri)
The afternoon free. Those who are going to perform in Sunday’s show, might want to spend some time rehearsing for this.

Sunday 30th
8 – 10 Breakfast
All day free, Those who are going to perform in Sunday’s show, might want to spend some time rehearsing for this.
8pm SHOWTIME. Afterwards we all eat and drink and sing and be merry – or sad that it’s all over.

Monday 31st
8 – 10 Breakfast, goodbyes. Free transfer to airport for those who are flying out this day.